Reinforced steel placed in concrete pavements helps to maintain structural integrity
across cracks that develop in the slab. Reinforced pavements require fewer joints and
less joint maintenance, and there are fewer problems associated with joints, such as
pavement pumping. It is claimed that reinforced pavements last longer than plain concrete
pavements.
There are two types of reinforced-concrete pavement:
1. Conventional or jointed pavements
2. Continuously reinforced pavements
Steel used in conventional reinforced pavements is normally in the form of welded
wire fabric or bar mats distributed throughout the concrete. The quantity of steel used
should be sufficient to maintain aggregate interlock along the faces of the cracked